Lewis, Chief Sheheke & Clark in Frankfort
Frankfort, Franklin County, Kentucky
Marker Inscription
Lewis and Clark- Lewis & Shieheke and William Clark in Frankfort. Meriwether Lewis, coleader of the 1803-06 Lewis and Clark Expedition, was in Frankfort from Nov. 13-15, 1806. Party included Mandan Chief Sheheke and family and delegation of Osage Indians. Group traveling to Washington to visit Pres. Thos. Jefferson. Over. (Reverse) William Clark, coleader of the 1803-06 Lewis & Clark Expedition, visited frankfort many times. On Oct. 29, 1809, he confirmed the death of Meriwether Lewis and discussed it with Christopher Greenup, Charles Scott, and others while passing through Frankfort on way to Washington.
Erected by Kentucky Historical Society
The Story
Frankfort saw the Lewis and Clark story at both its triumph and its tragedy. In November 1806 Meriwether Lewis passed through the capital escorting the Mandan chief Sheheke and his family, along with a delegation of Osage Indians, on their way to meet President Thomas Jefferson in Washington. Three years later, in 1809, William Clark stopped in Frankfort while traveling east and there confirmed and mourned the death of his co-leader Lewis, discussing the loss with Kentucky leaders including Christopher Greenup and Charles Scott.
Why it matters
The marker captures the human aftermath of the expedition—its diplomacy with Native nations and the sudden death of a national hero—unfolding through the frontier capital of Kentucky.
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Related people
- · Meriwether Lewis
- · William Clark
- · Chief Sheheke
- · Thomas Jefferson
Related events
- · Death of Meriwether Lewis (1809)
Themes & tags
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